Heineken prices rocket by more than 15%

In an email seen by The Morning Advertiser​, the rise will come into force from Monday 16 January 2023 and has been put down to being largely driven by the increase in energy prices, which is impacting the costs of other goods such as aluminium, glass and malted barley.

The brewer claimed it was looking at ways to mitigate volatility and had taken various steps to drive greater efficiencies but as a result of the ongoing cost rises, it was necessary to change its prices.

This will mean draught products will incur a rise of between 15% and 17% while packaged items prices will increase by 6.5% to 13% and Blade by 7%.

A spokesperson for Heineken said: “Like many UK manufacturers, Heineken UK is facing unprecedented cost increases on a number of critical inputs used to make and distribute beer and cider.

“This is predominantly driven by the significant rise in energy prices, which is also having a dramatic impact on the costs of other goods including glass, aluminium and malted barley."

Challenging times

They added: “While we have undertaken initiatives to increase our efficiency and reduce cost volatility, the scale of these input cost increases means we have no choice but to change the wholesale price of our products to our customers.   

“We appreciate these are challenging times, and we are committed to working with our customers to support a strong and sustainable category going forward.”     

Furthermore, Heineken will also be introducing new keg surcharges on Birra Moretti at £1.20 per 50-litre kegs and 84p per 30-litre kegs.

This new surcharge will be come into force on deliveries also from Monday 16 January 2023. All other surcharges on existing stock keeping units (SKU) will remain unchanged at present.

In addition, Heineken has also reformulated Foster’s, resulting in a change in its ABV. It claimed the change from 4% ABV to 3.7% ABV was in line with its aim to promote moderate consumption among alcohol drinkers.

Reformulated recipe

The new ABV will apply to new Foster’s keg SKUs in circulation from 23 January 2023 and packaged Foster’s in circulation from 13 February 2023.

The Heineken spokesperson added: “We know consumers are increasingly choosing lower ABV beers and ciders as part of a healthy lifestyle. Acknowledging this trend, we have made the decision to brew Foster’s lager at a slightly lower ABV, reducing it from 4.0% to 3.7%.  

“Reducing the alcohol content of one of our highest volume brands will also help remove millions of alcohol units across the UK, aligned to our long-held position of promoting moderation.   

“Foster’s is a much-loved brand up and down the country, which is why we have spent many months ensuring we can produce the same great refreshing taste and following extensive testing with consumers, we’re confident in its launch in the new year.”